Comments on: The Prozac Calamity by award winning Scientist Shane Ellison http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/ Human Rights organization Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:43:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ncpslc http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-1272 ncpslc Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:31:00 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-1272 Amen Bobby. Prozac saved my life. I became crippled by depression at age 17 but had felt depressed for as long as I could remember for no apparent reason. I was put on prozac. That combned with therapy was a miracle for me. I finally felt "normal". That was 23 years ago. Oh, I have gone off the medication, sometimes for YEARS at a time (don't try to tell me I was still suffering from withdrawal symptoms or some other made up reason). During those years I tried herbal remedies, accupuncture and a bunch of junk that was mostly a waste of time and money. I felt awful. I sooo wanted to be off any type of medication. Especially any that would indicate that I had something wrong with me psychologically. The stigma! Well guess what. Getting back on prozac gave me my life back. AGAIN. Thanks to medication and therapy I married, got a graduate degree and am a mother of 3 amazing children who are gifted intellectually and athletically, absolute standouts, off the charts. Get this. I TOOK PROZAC WHILE PREGNANT! What?! I definitely don't advocate psychotropic medications for just anyone. But for people like me who suffer from a true organic chemical imbalance in the brain they can be a God send. Stop being so dramatic. Antidepressants are not the devil. Psychiatrists are for the most part highly trained, caring and competent professionals. Don't let a few whack jobs ruin it for the rest of us! Amen Bobby. Prozac saved my life. I became crippled by depression at age 17 but had felt depressed for as long as I could remember for no apparent reason. I was put on prozac. That combned with therapy was a miracle for me. I finally felt “normal”. That was 23 years ago. Oh, I have gone off the medication, sometimes for YEARS at a time (don’t try to tell me I was still suffering from withdrawal symptoms or some other made up reason). During those years I tried herbal remedies, accupuncture and a bunch of junk that was mostly a waste of time and money. I felt awful. I sooo wanted to be off any type of medication. Especially any that would indicate that I had something wrong with me psychologically. The stigma! Well guess what. Getting back on prozac gave me my life back. AGAIN. Thanks to medication and therapy I married, got a graduate degree and am a mother of 3 amazing children who are gifted intellectually and athletically, absolute standouts, off the charts. Get this. I TOOK PROZAC WHILE PREGNANT! What?! I definitely don’t advocate psychotropic medications for just anyone. But for people like me who suffer from a true organic chemical imbalance in the brain they can be a God send. Stop being so dramatic. Antidepressants are not the devil. Psychiatrists are for the most part highly trained, caring and competent professionals. Don’t let a few whack jobs ruin it for the rest of us!

]]> By: Bobby Lee http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-1221 Bobby Lee Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:38:16 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-1221 I started taking an expensive update of Prozac about 3 years ago and am now taking the generic Fluoxetine, 40 mg once a day. I am now 60 years old. I can look back and see that I was truly depressive with the right stimuli (such as not being able to find something) to the point of dysfunctionality. In about 3 weeks I noticed a decided change to where things did not bother me almost at all, much less get upset over them. In 8 weeks, and ever since, I laugh at the untoward circumstances and cheerfully ask for help. My mind is free to search for solutions rather than panic into feeling incapable of doing anything. I exercise every day like there is no tomorrow and take naps. I grew up in a non-emotional family with a rageaholic father who was distant emotionally. He taught me to be afraid of men and of growing up to be one. I didn't learn anything about marriage as a relationship. I was raised in a fundamentalist church with lots of stress about unforgiven sin. Then went through the stress and shame of a divorce after 10 years of marriage. I was a terrible husband, to say the least. BUT now, taking the drug has mellowed me out to not sweat the small or large stuff and to value people a lot more. Before the drug I had lots of suicidal thoughts but do not anymore. I think I am closer to lovable and normal, but that is a subjective judgment. I can foresee continuing to take the Fluoxatine, as I do not have any side effects. Success. I started taking an expensive update of Prozac about 3 years ago and am now taking the generic Fluoxetine, 40 mg once a day. I am now 60 years old. I can look back and see that I was truly depressive with the right stimuli (such as not being able to find something) to the point of dysfunctionality. In about 3 weeks I noticed a decided change to where things did not bother me almost at all, much less get upset over them. In 8 weeks, and ever since, I laugh at the untoward circumstances and cheerfully ask for help. My mind is free to search for solutions rather than panic into feeling incapable of doing anything. I exercise every day like there is no tomorrow and take naps.
I grew up in a non-emotional family with a rageaholic father who was distant emotionally. He taught me to be afraid of men and of growing up to be one. I didn’t learn anything about marriage as a relationship. I was raised in a fundamentalist church with lots of stress about unforgiven sin. Then went through the stress and shame of a divorce after 10 years of marriage. I was a terrible husband, to say the least. BUT now, taking the drug has mellowed me out to not sweat the small or large stuff and to value people a lot more. Before the drug I had lots of suicidal thoughts but do not anymore.
I think
I am closer to lovable and normal, but that is a subjective judgment. I can foresee continuing to take the Fluoxatine, as I do not have any side effects. Success.

]]> By: ytm-msn.com http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-631 ytm-msn.com Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:33:19 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-631 <strong>ytm-msn.com...</strong> ... ytm-msn.com…

…

]]> By: Bronwen Davis http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-157 Bronwen Davis Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:04:41 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-157 I find Mr. Ellison's comments harshly prejudiced against psychiatrists. He does not address how "Big Pharma and Health "Insurance" companies go about denying people the proper medication and dosage, thereby dictating what doctors are able to offer their patients. Mr. Ellison blames the psychiatrist for "pushing" the medication that "Big Pharma" and Insurance companies will green light. These companies now determine the amount of time/dosage/and product that doctors are permitted to prescribe. Medication alone has never been the complete cure to mental and emotional illness. The psychiatric profession has said as much. It involves supportive therapy, serious lifestyle improvements and a variety of regimens to assist and conquer. However, pharmaceutical marketing heralds a new med and people clammer for it. It fails them and they are encouraged to blame the doctor who was told exactly what choice he could provide. "Big Pharma" and Insurance Companies make millions off of limiting and designing what kind of care doctors may supply and patients may receive. And these companies target, ie go after, the doctors who argue for better care and coverage for the mentally and emotionally disabled. The doctors are bullied, threatened, deluged with denials, vacuous suits, and superfluous paperwork. As a result the numbers in the profession are declining. Mental Health Care practitioners are leaving their life's work because they are outrageously battered by commercial interests and cannot provide the range of care and time their patients deserve. Moreover, Mr. Ellison does not mention the thousands who have enormously benefited from successful, conscientious, proper medication and therapy combinations supplied by dedicated and courageous therapists. There is no magic pill. There is good all round thoughtful dedicated care. That care is vanishing. Now focus a moment on the troubled aging and returning veteran populations of this country. Who will care for them? Big Pharma and Insurance? Better Healthcare begins with choices. At the moment patients and doctors are given few. I find Mr. Ellison’s comments harshly prejudiced against psychiatrists.
He does not address how “Big Pharma and Health “Insurance” companies
go about denying people the proper medication and dosage, thereby
dictating what doctors are able to offer their patients.
Mr. Ellison blames the psychiatrist for “pushing” the medication
that “Big Pharma” and Insurance companies will green light.
These companies now determine the amount of time/dosage/and product that doctors
are permitted to prescribe. Medication alone has never been the complete
cure to mental and emotional illness. The psychiatric profession has said as much.
It involves supportive therapy, serious lifestyle improvements and a variety of
regimens to assist and conquer. However, pharmaceutical marketing heralds a new med and people clammer for it. It fails them and they are encouraged to blame the doctor who was told exactly what choice he could provide. “Big Pharma” and Insurance Companies make millions off of limiting and designing what kind of care doctors may supply and patients may receive. And these companies target, ie go after, the doctors who argue for better care and coverage for the mentally and emotionally disabled. The doctors are bullied, threatened, deluged with denials, vacuous suits, and superfluous paperwork. As a result the numbers in the profession are declining. Mental Health Care practitioners are leaving their life’s work because they are outrageously battered by commercial interests and cannot provide the range of care and time their patients deserve. Moreover, Mr. Ellison does not mention the thousands who have enormously benefited from successful, conscientious, proper medication and therapy combinations supplied by dedicated and courageous therapists.
There is no magic pill.
There is good all round thoughtful dedicated care. That care is vanishing. Now focus a moment on the troubled aging and returning veteran populations of this country. Who will care for them? Big Pharma and Insurance?
Better Healthcare begins with choices.
At the moment patients and doctors are given few.

]]> By: Ellie http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Ellie Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:08:42 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-113 True! Finally truth!!! This drug was supposed to be my cure all. At 16 I was put on it and of course continually the doctors up m doses at 17 years old I was taking over 40 different drugs and close to a hundred plus pills aday. I attemped to kill myself via ODing about 6 times, Russian roulet about 10 times, self muliation... Thank god for my husband standing by me and getting me off of everything I am down to 5 pills aday including viatims and alleregy meds! True! Finally truth!!! This drug was supposed to be my cure all. At 16 I was put on it and of course continually the doctors up m doses at 17 years old I was taking over 40 different drugs and close to a hundred plus pills aday. I attemped to kill myself via ODing about 6 times, Russian roulet about 10 times, self muliation… Thank god for my husband standing by me and getting me off of everything I am down to 5 pills aday including viatims and alleregy meds!

]]> By: vincetracy.com Blog » La Alcurnia http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-103 vincetracy.com Blog » La Alcurnia Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:13:40 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-103 [...] you know my views on the medical people giving out far too many drugs then here is the ultimate in compelling evidence that unless it´s definitely structural we need to be very careful about taking [...] [...] you know my views on the medical people giving out far too many drugs then here is the ultimate in compelling evidence that unless it´s definitely structural we need to be very careful about taking [...]

]]> By: Pat A. http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Pat A. Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:50:15 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-102 Dear Shane, Thank you for speaking out regarding the truth about Prozac! I'm a retired school principal and have personally observed several horror-stories about this drug and the children to whom it was given. It broke my heart to see children arrive at my school who were on this drug. Yes, they were complacent and could sit still in class. However, their spirits had been broken and their creativity was no longer evident. It is my personal opinion that some educators and parents put their children on these mind-altering drugs because they (the adults) are uncomfortable with the amount of life and enthusiasm these children exhibit. The truth is, our great nation and our society were formed by people who were NOT sheep-like, but who could think for themselves, and were willing to think bigger than most others were comfortable with. How much is our society losing in potential growth by drugging the very children who have the ability to change our world for a better place? Dear Shane,

Thank you for speaking out regarding the truth about Prozac! I’m a retired school principal and have personally observed several horror-stories about this drug and the children to whom it was given.

It broke my heart to see children arrive at my school who were on this drug. Yes, they were complacent and could sit still in class. However, their spirits had been broken and their creativity was no longer evident.

It is my personal opinion that some educators and parents put their children on these mind-altering drugs because they (the adults) are uncomfortable with the amount of life and enthusiasm these children exhibit. The truth is, our great nation and our society were formed by people who were NOT sheep-like, but who could think for themselves, and were willing to think bigger than most others were comfortable with.

How much is our society losing in potential growth by drugging the very children who have the ability to change our world for a better place?

]]> By: Clemento http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Clemento Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:09:59 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-99 Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest. Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.

]]> By: Jeff Levinger http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Jeff Levinger Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:07:35 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-93 Well, Ellison's testimony regarding Hegarty isn't like what was published & copyrighted 1995; see it at this link: http://suicideandmentalhealthassociationinternational.org/svwithprozab.html However, this link below does suggest that such drugs are dangerous and at best no better than placebo: http://psychrights.org/research/Digest/Chronicity/NeurolepticResearch.htm The first link at the site above gets you a 9-page PDF published in 2004 by Elsevier: The case against antipsychotic drugs: a 50-year record of doing more harm than good. That site also has 20 additional links to studies from 1962 through 1994 showing various dangers, side effects, and consequences for patients using psychiatric drugs, including brain lobe shrinkage. Well, Ellison’s testimony regarding Hegarty isn’t like what was published & copyrighted 1995; see it at this link:

http://suicideandmentalhealthassociationinternational.org/svwithprozab.html

However, this link below does suggest that such drugs are dangerous and at best no better than placebo:

http://psychrights.org/research/Digest/Chronicity/NeurolepticResearch.htm

The first link at the site above gets you a 9-page PDF published in 2004 by Elsevier: The case against antipsychotic drugs: a 50-year
record of doing more harm than good.

That site also has 20 additional links to studies from 1962 through 1994 showing various dangers, side effects, and consequences for patients using psychiatric drugs, including brain lobe shrinkage.

]]> By: Cornelius http://www.cchrint.org/2009/08/12/the-prozac-calamity/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Cornelius Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:54:59 +0000 http://www.cchrint.org/?p=1690#comment-86 Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more? Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?

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